Easyjet to test volcanic ash radar

New technology that could minimise future disruption to air traffic from volcanic ash has been unveiled by budget airline EasyJet.

The British airline will be the first to trial a new ''weather radar for ash'' system called AVOID (Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector).

The system involves placing infrared technology onto an aircraft to supply images to both the pilots and an airline's flight control centre.

It is an attempt to prevent a repeat of April's airspace shutdown, after an Icelandic volcano erupted.

The disruption cost airlines nearly $3bn and stranded thousands of passengers.

Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward reports on the aircraft-mounted radar that could help prevent future airspace closures.

[June, 05, 2010]